cannibalizing a Bronco

kgf · Post by **kgf** » Sat Jun 01, 2019 4:47 pm

Hi All, new to the forum (sort of). I have a '76 Bronco which I got used in the early 80's for about $100. The poor thing had already been abused by a previous owner: the paint was stripped, so it was natural wood (not so bad, but ruins the originality), the body had been (badly) routed out and a DiMarzio humbucker installed in it (original is gone), the control knobs replaced with after market knobs (originals are gone), the Fender logo removed from the head stock (outline is still visible), and the pickguard was broken. So, I have no qualms about doing things to this guitar. The thing is, I love the neck, but the bridge, nut and tuning heads all combine to create a beast that won't stay in tune for a whole song, and the strings even tend to pop out of the nut during bends. My recent thought has been to attach the neck to a a new body with a better bridge system, replace the tuners and probably the nut as well. At this point you probably have shivers running down your spine from the heresy I'm proposing

, but I don't see any other way I'm really going to get any use out of this little guy. I have two sons, both of whom have declined to learn the guitar, and I doubt the guitar has much value in its current state. Anybody have any luck attaching a shortscale neck to a differnt body? Any other thoughts?

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sat Jun 01, 2019 5:06 pm

Replacement body doesn't sound weird to me, and I would sell the old one. It takes so much intense wood/finish work out of the operation but also, even though that vintage body is in sad shape, it will fetch a lot more money if sold equipped for a Bronco bridge as someone could be buying it for a build/resto project to refinsh and pop a fresh pickguard/singlecoil on, at which point all the hackjob stuff would be sight-unseen. Purely due to the rarity of loose Bronco bodies popping up on eBay (hardly unheard of but not a "5 at a time all year long" affair either) someone might pounce on it for a higher-than-you'd-think BIN.

Fakir Mustache · Post by **Fakir Mustache** » Sat Jun 01, 2019 5:59 pm

If the nut is that bad, it probably wasn't original when you bought it to begin with. Also I don't think collectors really actively look for guitars with original nuts. If the replacement was very poorly cut, then it might be worth less if someone tries it out and hates it.

You could also put some WD40 in the tuners.

robroe · Post by **robroe** » Sun Jun 02, 2019 1:20 pm

You can throw that neck on any jaguar, mustang, duo sonic, music master, vista jagmaster, or jag stang body and it will drop right in and intonate correctly.

kgf · Post by **kgf** » Sun Jun 02, 2019 10:00 pm

Thanks guys. If I do it, I'll be sure to post pics.

Post by **dots** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 11:36 pm

if you have all of the original parts for the bridge that's giving you trouble, consider having them cleaned up and restored to working order. those things are one of the hardest components to come by if you're trying to build a proper, modern bronco from parts available. from what i have been told, the bronco bridge is incredibly reliable when in working order, so it's worth a shot reviving yours (even if only to later sell).

welcome to the forums!

robroe · Post by **robroe** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 11:45 pm

dots wrote:if you have all of the original parts for the bridge that's giving you trouble, consider having them cleaned up and restored to working order. those things are one of the hardest components to come by if you're trying to build a proper, modern bronco from parts available. from what i have been told, the bronco bridge is incredibly reliable when in working order, so it's worth a shot reviving yours (even if only to later sell).

welcome to the forums!

mine never goes out of tuen

Post by **dots** » Sat Jun 08, 2019 11:31 pm

Wit capo?